The schoolies 'rite of passage' remains as popular as ever, and for many will remain the chosen option to celebrate all that they have learnt over 13 years in the education system - one big party all about the indulgences of the self.

At Marian Catholic College, students were offered a choice: service or schoolies.

Teneeka Andreazza, Julian Davidge, Joshua Golden,Tarnpreet Kaur, Manvir Singh, Lauren Bertolin, Isabelle Eldridge and Shanuille Parsa were the nine successful applicants assisted by Mrs Sanita Lole and Mr Heath Neville who traveled overseas to Samoa on the November 19.

This was the fourth trip for MCC aiding St Paul VI College, Leulomoenga and St Peter's Primary Falefa.

Teacher Heath Neville, who coordinated the trip, said Samoa is a country in crisis and needed help with what was a tense situation.

"The students were choosing service over self and what they achieved was purely amazing," Mr Neville said.

"We visited the two schools that we annually fundraise for and completed different service work in both."

Days before the Griffith group was scheduled to arrive, the Samoan government declared a national emergency in the form of a measles epidemic.

Around 44 deaths were recorded, with 40 of those under the age of four. There were 3357 cases recorded since October.

The team organised and cleaned an abandoned library, sorting books and sanatising classrooms with shelving and establishing learning spaces.

"We used our creative ability to create murals and educational art work producing a welcoming sight for returning students," Mr Neville explained.

"We had designed walls regarding time, science and inspiration to graduate. We had also repaired laptops the school had sent over in previous years."

Both schools were left with gifts including pens, stationary, educational resources, clothing and sporting equipment. It was a humbling reminder of how so little can mean so much to those who need it.

"In return we were offered sincere prayer and thanks which was more than enough."

The trip involved many moments like this and the group pledged to continue to help and assist as much as they possibly could in order to continue to improve the opportunities for children in Samoa.

"It is rewarding, it is necessary and it is a part of who we are as human beings to help and assist our fellow man.

"The world is in need of more people that choose service over self and I was fortunate to lead a team that made this choice and made a difference in doing so."

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Marian is extremely proud of the Project Samoa team of 2019, who have truly demonstrated the values of their 13 years of education by choosing to serve others.

"We can only hope and encourage more do the same in such times of need at home and abroad."

For more info about the trip visit the Marian Catholic College website where a day by day live blog was created.

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